Surprised by Hope

On Saturday, my wife needed to do some research so we dropped off the boy at his grandparents for a few hours and went down to the Nashville Public Library. It was the perfect place to enjoy and finish up N.T. Wright's Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church.

There is nothing I could say in this post to describe the gist of Wright's thinking. Every paragraph carries a big punch of theology. However, I did come away from the book with a refreshing set of thoughts on the subject of eschatology. I have not really done an in-depth study on death and what might happen to a person when he or she dies, and I'll admit I still haven't after reading Wright's book. Still, I feel like his book was a solid foundation to build on for more study on the topic. The way he presents his argument is phenomenal. It would take me years to even be at a point to dispute any of his research and thinking on life after death.

N.T. Wright certainly ranks among the brightest theological minds today. As a friend of mine says, "C.S. Lewis is a brilliant writer and good theologian while N.T. Wright is a brilliant theologian and a good writer."

Ben Stein's Expelled

Yesterday, Dave treated the company to a showing of Ben Stein's documentary Expelled. It was a treat. Ben Stein has a great sense of humor.

In terms of a documentary, I thought it was very well done and was really enjoyable to watch. Plus, the point of the documentary, I thought, was even better. Ben Stein actually sets out to open the door (or tear down the walls) to discussing the issue of intelligent design as a legitimate argument in response to Darwinism. What I found most interesting about the documentary is that Stein does not argue in favor of intelligent design, but simply provides arguments that it has just as much of a place in science as Darwinism when it comes to discussion. In fact, he doesn't even try to make intelligent design an idea that belongs to Jews, Christians, or other faiths. He simply lays it out there as an idea that has just as much merit as Darwinism.

I know many people of faith, will be upset Stein did not push the envelope further and argue the existence of God in this film. However, I think the fact that he didn't gives his message more weight in the realm of scientific study and academia.

Here's a teaser from the film. If you've seen the film, what did you think?

The Shack

"Why does God allow bad things to happen?" It's a question that will never stop being asked and one that never has an easy answer. The things that take place in our world that cause such a question to surface have also been the cause for many people to turn from God completely.

William P. Young's The Shack addresses this question as he writes about the inner struggle of a man named Mack who has had to deal with death and abuse. I'm not qualified to critique the writing style of Young, but I will say the book does a great job of addressing the question through a fable. I'll admit that it was a bit strange, but all in all he does a great job of helping readers think about how God also has to deal with evil as well. If you have dealt with some type of heart ache in life which in turn may have put a strain on your relationship with God, then I think you will enjoy this book. It doesn't have to be an experience with death or abuse. The story simply helps you handle thoughts that cause your frustration with God. Besides, the book is becoming very popular and it wouldn't hurt to know what everyone is talking about, right?

I did notice in the back of the book an ad by the publisher Wind Blown Media. It was an ad for another book they put out that I highly recommend. It's So, You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore? by Jake Colsen.

The Reason for God

A few posts back I mentioned that I was reading The Reason for God by Timothy Keller. The book was sent to me by a new friend in NYC who has what many would say is an unbelievable story of survival. However, as I read this book it occurred to me that his story isn't so unbelievable when you believe in God.

You see, Keller's book deals with the whole issue of skepticism and having faith in God. The book was wonderful. It handled the subject of apologetics in a very clear and concise way. It isn't over your head theology. It's not a "Bible beating" approach to prove the existence of God. More than anything, the book helped me to appreciate my faith in God and gave me a greater confidence to live a life in Christ. It takes a practical look at both sides; Atheism and Christianity.

Every chapter challenged my critical thinking and has pushed me to think further. It's also caused me to consider more about how religion can be a very dangerous weapon, especially against those who do not believe in a faith. I was reminded that Christianity can carry a certain arrogance if you're not careful. If anything Christianity should bring a greater awareness of humility which sets it apart from other religions, but it often does not.

It's a great book, and is a wonderful supplement today for Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.

Thanks for the book Brian!

Does Satan encourage atheism?

So, after reading some last night a question occurred to me. Does Satan encourage atheism - the doctrine or belief that there is no God?

I understand that Satan would not want you to believe in God, but if you do not believe in God, then likewise wouldn't you also have to put aside any belief in Satan? Some people may argue that Satan would leverage atheism to keep you from following God, but what if that's not really even Satan's motivation? Does he just want to keep us from God, or does he want to be like God and have us follow after him instead? In that case, wouldn't atheism work against him? If the devil just gets his kick out of seeing you not believe, then atheism could certainly help him accomplish what he wants, but then what is in it for Satan?

So, your thoughts...

Doubt vs Faith

I began a book yesterday by Timothy Keller entitled The Reason for God. It is a book that a new friend sent to me. So far I am enjoying it a lot but I will review it more in depth when I complete it. Still, I may make several posts in the meantime on a few things it caused me to think about. The first of which is the question that relates to having doubt and faith.

Keller pointed out how both of these characteristics are learned. To have faith in something or someone is a learned response, just as it is with learning to doubt. So, if they are learned and we all experience each of them let me ask a few tough questions that have me thinking (Since I am thinking, I figured someone out there might want to to think a little too).

In terms of your relationship with God which do you feel like you experience more, doubt or faith? How do you use one to counteract the other? Can you? How did you learn each of those responses in the first place?

Velvet Elvis

Recently I have heard a lot of people talking about Velvet Elvis written by Rob Bell. I have actually heard a lot of mixed reviews. Some love it and others didn't really care for it at all. Since so many people have talked about it, I decided to take a look under the hood.

I wasn't impressed. Still, it was worth my money because I got several good thoughts out of it. The only thing about the book is that I never felt like I was following a pattern. I got a few good nuggets here or there but I just kind of wondered where the author was trying to take me. I'll admit, it could have just been me. I was reading through a lot of it while being distracted by my one year old.

I don't think this book will challenge any seasoned Christian with thinking, but I can see how this book would be a nice little read for those in the beginning of their faith. I do appreciate Bell's aptitude for research. He does manage to reflect on some historical facts that pertain to the setting of several Bible passages, that many ministers or authors would have chosen to ignore (ex. Jesus's garment and Jewish education for children)

Have you read it? Thoughts?

Where are you in this story?

To set the stage, I'm reading Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis and last night I read where he said to claim someone else's story. If my tired self comprehended it correctly, I understood him to say that basically it's God's story.

I recall about a month ago a new friend saying, "I don't have a story". He had not had any major turn around or ever hit rock bottom with his faith. His story didn't seem as exciting to him. It was almost as if his story wasn't worth telling and he appeared disappointed. I thought to myself, that's me too.

So, as I drifted off into thought last night, it hit me that it's not just my story, or your story. It's our story. No, that's not right either. It's God's story and we are just characters. My story isn't exciting, until I place it within the greater collective story of God's people and His redemption for all mankind. Yeah...I like his story better now.

Does that make sense? If so, where do you fit into God's story?

Pagan Christianity

Frank Viola and George Barna have joined together to write a very challenging book for Christians today. It's called Pagan Christianity. If you enjoy "going to church" this book will challenge you. If you are not comfortable (I don't know, even if you are) with your faith, this book is not for the faint of heart.

The idea of this book challenges our current views of what exactly "church" is. Even for those who have sought out after the perfect church by asking how the first century church practiced, might discover that they still have not followed the early church's pattern. The authors set out to show how our Sunday patterns are not rooted in New Testament examples, but rather are influenced from pagan rituals from earlier centuries.

In the past I have fought through many of the thoughts Viola and Barna introduce, and after reading it I actually developed a greater appreciation for many ideals of my own heritage within churches of Christ. There were many things I was taught growing up that seemed petty and unsubstantial, ie. churches of Christ are not denominational, but this book gave credence to some of the stances that were taken. However, I revisited many areas of our heritage that I wasn't so proud of. Regardless of your heritage, I think you too, will experience similar feelings as you read it. It's a book by its very nature, that will call you to action - whatever that may be.

What is Hope?

Maybe before talking about what hope is, I should ask, “what is faith?” The Hebrew writer says this in 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (ESV).“

Now back to hope. I recall back in college, one of my Bible professors pointing out that our use of the word “hope” is completely different from the way people used it long ago.

For example, if you were to go by a lottery ticket and think to yourself, “I really hope I win,” you probably don’t expect to win. When people such as the apostle Paul used the word “hope”, they used it with a sense of expectancy. Having hope in God, was not a matter of “it might happen,” but rather it was a matter of “let’s make plans because we know God is going to live up to his promises.”

Hoping in something should not be equated with having good luck. Hoping in God is more than that and that is what leads to faith.

Please…comment.

Are You Human?

After you have messed up, sinned, done wrong, or did something stupid, you might have said “Well, I’m only human.” Well, stop saying it. Here is why.

How did God create us as humans? Did God create humans with the intent to screw up? No. I think when we use this little saying it is insulting to Father. His intent was not for us to be sinful creatures. Yes, all of us are human and all of us have sinned, but to say sinning is a result of being human, I think is inaccurate. If that were the case, then what was Jesus? Was he not human?

Perhaps we should think of ourselves as less than human, and realize that Jesus showed us how to live as a human. And to be human again means God redeemed us from being less than what he intended our lives to be.

Does this make since?

So, You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore?

I am not sure of the best way to describe the book I’ve just finished reading. It is entitled So, You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore? It is a fable written by two men, Wayne Jacobson and Dave Coleman. You can read the book for free in a .pdf format at http://www.jakecolsen.com/Jakespreads.pdf.

This book has really messed with me and has challenged me once again, to look at “church” in a new light. If you are looking to start a relationship with Jesus or if you have ever been frustrated by a congregation, denomination, or Christian, you might discover a thing or two if you are willing to be honest with yourself.

You can also learn more about Wayne Jacobson at www.lifestream.org

I really don’t want to describe too much. The title describes it well enough. If any part of you answers the question in the title with a “yes”…well…then read the book. Whether or not you believe in Jesus, or whether or not you even want to believe in God, I think you’ll appreciate this book at some level.

Churchgoer vs Christian

I've had tons of people send me a link to this video over the past few days, so I guess it is time to blog it. My heritage is in churches of Christ, and you can tell this video is done by those affiliated with the non-denominational denomination. Here's how I can tell.

1. It's much longer than it needs to be.
2. They mention Abilene University which is affiliated with the CofC
3. They give props to 728b which is like the churches of Christ anthem song from the old Great Songs of the Church hymnal. I can hear the bass line now..."There is a God...He is alive.."

Anyway, generally speaking, the video makes a great point.

Tests of Faith

Some of you grew up in churches where you always went to church when the doors were open right? If you didn't - well, that was being a bad Christian and you may as well plan on spending eternity in hell. Any of you know what I am talking about? It was the same thing with drinking, dancing, smoking, gambling, etc... There were these "tests of faith" people conjured up and and applied based on their own belief system and traditions. It's no different than when the Pharisees looked at Jesus as a bad Jew because he did not observe the Sabbath like they felt he should.

So here's my question...if I failed these "tests" then what would happen if I applied the same thinking to the church of Satan? What if I failed to be a good church attender as a member of Satan's church? Would I not be allowed into Hell?

Ok - obviously I don't believe that being a bad Satanic church member would keep me out of hell but maybe you see my point.

Let God do the judging.